March 1, 2021
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Bill Henry, Kent Weems, Chris Bruns, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Woodruff offered prayer. Weems called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Weems announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Bruns to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on February 22, 2021. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Weems announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
Deputy County Assessor, Pat Collins appeared along Betty Jo Hernandez representing the County Treasurer’s Office.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Henry to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on February 22, 2021. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Henry to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption applications submitted by New Life Assembly Church and North Platte Baptist Church as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Bruns to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by North Platte Catholic Schools as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by Bethel Evangelical Free Church as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Hewgley to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application by Great Plains Health as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Hewgley to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application by Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:22 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
County Attorney, Rebecca Harling and Jayne Schaaf, Executive Director for Community Connections presented the Lincoln County Comprehensive Juvenile Services Community Plan July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2025.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Bruns to approve the Lincoln County Comprehensive Juvenile Services Community Plan July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2025 as presented. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Brandon Myers, Region 51 Emergency Management Director, asked the board to consider setting a date to accept bids for a new truck for his department. He planned to keep the current truck as a spare for other employees to drive.
Commissioner Hewgley commented that he would rather see the current vehicle traded in rather than keeping it as a spare.
Commissioner Henry asked if the current unit could be passed down to one of the other counties in the region.
Myers responded in the affirmative.
Commissioners Bruns and Woodruff both concurred that they did not want the vehicle to be kept as a spare. Bruns suggested Region 51 look at getting on rotation of vehicles similar to the Sheriff’s Department.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to set March 22, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. to accept bids for one pickup truck for Region 51 Emergency Management. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Carla O’Dell, Lincoln County Highway Supt., County Surveyor, Boni Edwards and Judy Clark, County Planning Administrator, appeared to discuss various issues concerning buildings constructed without permits or on county right-of-way and amending zoning regulations per NE State Statute § 23-114. Edwards also has issues with people getting flood plain permits. This could affect federally approved loans for the entire county.
Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, reported that he had been working with the group to address their concerns and to look at enforcement options. It was decided that Commissioners Bruns and Henry will join the group and work on a plan to address the issues.
County Board members discussed a resolution prohibiting sitting Commissioners from having financial interests in contracts with Lincoln County.
Commissioner Weems stated the resolution before the board was something that he has always been concerned with. He has great confidence that all board members have the best interests of the county in mind, including the current jail project. He finds it burdensome that the County Board cannot have the full board on the county’s side of the table.
Commissioner Hewgley commented that in his 35 year tenure on the County Board he had declined projects. He has done a lot of pro gratis work for the county, but doing that became financially burdensome. There are state statutes that are clear on conflicts of interest and this issue has been addressed by the NE Attorney General’s office. He feels that it is wrong for this board, and for the individual, to not allow the board to act in the best interest of the county and we don’t want to restrict individuals in this county from making a living.
Commissioner Henry told board members that we cannot legislate integrity. There are laws in place to regulate this.
Commissioner Bruns stated that for him, it is a matter of perception, not integrity. This resolution would alleviate him having to defend this board’s integrity.
Commissioner Hewgley asked why any of them would have to defend another board members integrity. Have the person speak with the board member involved.
Commissioner Woodruff also sees it as a matter of public perception.
John Winchell spoke against the proposed resolution. He asked the board to please not inhibit individuals from running for office because they might have a potential conflict of interest.
Greg Renner also spoke against the proposed resolution. Low bidder is low bidder. Everything is transparent. If there is a conflict, the board member abstains. That is the law. Everyone complains, you are not going to make everyone happy.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to adopt Resolution No. 2021-09 prohibiting sitting Commissioners from having financial interests in contracts with Lincoln County.
Commissioner Hewgley asked to have the resolution read.
Upon roll call vote Weems, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Hewgley and Henry voted “nay”. Motion carried.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads and their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
General:
AFC Intnl eq 1898.24
Agri Comp eq 1707.07
Amazon Cap su 215.37
A Browers mi 40.88
BLR se 12.00
B Aufdenkamp mi 77.84
Brouillette,Dugan se 5969.90
Buffalo Co Sheriff se 33.82
Capital Bus se 212.00
Charter Comm se 124.97
City of NP se 7.50
Clk Dist Crt se 1140.00
Comm Invtmt rt 375.00
Conslidted Mgmt se 84.93
CVSOAN reg 60.00
Dive Rescue Intl eq 1513.81
Dr Debs se 100.00
Eakes su 4502.32
E Kircher mi 15.46
FD Signworks eq 1189.86
Fellows eq 849.00
Grand Cnty Sheriff se 29.72
GP Health se 773.51
K Marshall mi 53.76
K Florom se 350.00
Knobel Ref se 205.60
LC Jail PC ex 59.99
Menards su 195.89
Mentzer su 66.65
Meyer Cr su 475.65
Mid-Plains se 375.00
Midwest conn se 123.26
ML&W se 6514.45
NACO reg 70.00
NACT dues 50.00
NE Law Enf se 75.00
NWE se 297.00
P Cooper mi 156.80
Radiology se 971.00
Recgntn Unl se 83.30
SHI su 88.00
Snells se 127.50
Summit Fd se 4348.50
Supply Cache su 1482.65
T Stasser mi 27.44
T Fox se 115.50
Twin Valley Comm su 30.00
US Cell cont 856.05
Verizon cont 801.32
Walmart Comm su 158.57
Woods & Aitken se 1342.60
Roads:
B Summers Frd re 544.37
Bomgaars su 175.67
Coldwell Bnkr su 120.00
DPPD se 138.73
EQ Blades eq 1595.00
Hintons su 43.00
Kelly Supply re 316.19
MCCook PPD se 274.33
Mentzer Oil su 142.60
ML&W se 670.70
NSG su 3477.01
NWE se 661.88
RS Hudrlic se 1771.78
4D Repair se 2607.50
Lodging:
Goldn Spike se 50.00
Integrated eq 1200.00
Langemeier Htg re 120.00
Midwst Conn pstg 1500.00
ML&W se 310.63
NE Hotel & ldg dues 400.00
NE Safety & Fr se 30.00
NP Telegraph adv 19.43
PrestoX se 40.00
Reliable Rfg se 125.00
Mally Mrktg se 2483.33
Watchfire Signs adv 520.00
Juvenile Fund:
Brouillette Dugan se 711.60
Building:
BTS eq 3130.00
February Payroll $776.271.99
The meeting was adjourned at 10:54 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the March 1, 2021 board meetings were sent to the county board and all others requesting the same. Advance public notice (includes agenda) of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting was posted at the Lincoln County Courthouse, City Hall and the Lincoln County website on February 26, 2021; and was also emailed to the media on February 26, 2021.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, March 8, 2021 will be kept
continually current and open for inspection at the office of the Lincoln County Clerk. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will be at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 9:00 A.M. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Equalization will be at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 9:15 A.M.
Rebecca J. Rossell
Lincoln County Clerk
